Power Ranking Top 10 Dual-Threat QBs Heading into 2013 College Football

Dual-threat quarterbacks have stolen the college football spotlight over the past half-decade. Tim Tebow led the charge, but now three straight Heisman Trophies have been handed to dual-threat QBs.

This year the position is loaded with talented dual-threat players, and this is a look at how the 10 best stack up against one another.

Johnny Manziel is the favorite heading into fall, but Braxton Miller is a challenger stealing some of the spotlight this summer. Don’t forget the power of MACtion and the leap that Jordan Lynch took onto the national stage last fall.

No. 8: Taylor Kelly, Arizona State Sun Devils

The Pac-12 was full of star players last fall, but somehow Taylor Kelly seemed to slip between the cracks.

He had a masterful season guiding the Sun Devils offense, helping lead the program to an 8-5 record and bowl victory.

ESPN.com Pac-12 blogger Kevin Gemmell mentions Kelly on his dark-horse Heisman list, but that is the extent of the exposure that he has received this offseason. Expect Kelly to become an instant star if he guides the program to a win over Wisconsin in Week 2.

There is a lot of potential for the Arizona State program with Kelly guiding the offense.

No. 7: Jordan Lynch, Northern Illinois Huskies

The Huskies took the nation by surprise last year jumping into the BCS, but the blasting they took at the hands of Florida State was not.

Jordan Lynch was one of the best dual-threats in the country last fall, but when his team fell apart against the Seminoles, his effectiveness on the big stage came into question.

Still, Lynch produced one of the best single seasons ever by a quarterback and heads into this year looking to continue his upward leap. The Huskies should challenge for another MAC title this fall, and with a win Lynch will be in the Heisman discussion.

His ability to carry the offensive load is extremely impressive, but he isn't elite just yet.

No. 6: Taylor Martinez, Nebraska Cornhuskers

Taylor Martinez may not be known as a big-game quarterback, but the guy puts up a lot of wins.

Over the past three years, he has helped guide Nebraska to 27 victories. The Huskers have also played in a bowl game all three years, and appeared in two conference title games with Martinez calling the shots.

This fall he is looking for a breakout senior season that actually ends with a conference title. This is Martinez’s year to take over the Big Ten and reach his expected potential.

It won’t come easy, as Braxton Miller is expected to put together a Heisman-worthy year.

No. 5: Brett Hundley, UCLA Bruins

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

2012 Season Totals

Passing Yds.

Passing TDs

Rushing Yds.

Rushing TDs

Yards per Game

3,745

29

355

9

292.5

UCLA launched onto the Pac-12 stage last fall on the back of Brett Hundley.

With Jim Mora Jr. guiding the program, the culture of winning has returned. The Bruins offense plowed through the conference last year and is set to have another big season with Hundley guiding the group.

Last season, the freshman led the Pac-12 in passing yards and was third in attempts per game.

This season, he has a standard that will be matched and will lead the Bruins back into the Pac-12 title discussion.

No. 3: Tajh Boyd, Clemson Tigers

Clemson is winning a lot of football games with this guy driving the offense, and this year they are a sleeper for the national title.

No joke.

Last year they took a very talented LSU team down in the Chick-fil-A Bowl and gained a lot of confidence heading into the new year. There are a lot of returning stars that helped the Tigers get there, and Boyd is the leader of the group.

The offense will need his playmaking skills more than ever this fall, and he is ready to drive this team to the title.

Boyd has the ability to take this program to heights no one expected when Dabo Swinney hopped into the interim head coaching gig in 2008.

No. 1: Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M Aggies

John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

2012 Season Totals

Passing Yds.

Passing TDs

Rushing Yds.

Rushing TDs

Yards per Game

3,706

26

1,410

21

393.5

Until another quarterback unseats Manziel as the best in the game, he sits at No. 1. Watching him this spring, he has solidified the notion that he will return for an encore performance in his sophomore season.

Manziel took the country over last year as he marched through the SEC and knocked off eventual national champion Alabama. Most thought the Crimson Tide would destroy the Aggies' attack, but a sandlot-style performance from Johnny Football earned A&M the win.

This year, he is expected to help the Aggies challenge for the SEC title and is a front-runner for the Heisman.

If he meets just half of the expectations set forth for 2013, he will have another record year.